Scouts’ plans take shape for their new HQ Town Talk


SNODLAND Scouts headquarters will be demolished next year and replaced with a new building. The present hut, near the clock


tower in Holborough Road, was originally the canteen for workers building the M20. Costains gave it to the Scouts in 1971. Steve Cameron, chairman of


the 1st Snodland Scout Group, said they had originally planned to build the new HQ on the same site but Tonbridge & Malling Bor- ough Council insisted it had to replace the existing building. “We have had to downscale


our original plans and the new building will cost £100,000- £120,000,” he said. “We have £60,000 and need much more, but it is enough for us to start.


Nicky gives up her hair to raise money for


cancer charity A SNODLAND woman who has not had her hair cut for at least 10 years has had her 29-inch locks shorn to raise money for charity. Nicky Halls, of Pout Road,


raised almost £770 for Macmil- lan Cancer Care, whose nurses looked after her husband Clive’s mother when she was ill. Nicky, who has run Coffee Break, a meeting place for mums and toddlers in Christ Church Hall, Malling Road for 19 years, thanked her family, friends, youth leaders, St Katherine’s Primary School and many others who had given their support. She said: “I have decided to donate my hair to the Little Princess Trust, a cancer charity for children who lose their hair as a result of their treatment and


“We will start at the end of June


next year and should take about six weeks. As we close down in August, we will not miss much Scouting.” Steve said he hoped to find a builder willing to demolish the


Steve


Cameron at the Scout hut, which will be pulled down to make way for a new building


old hut and extend the founda- tions. A carpenter had offered his services, but an electrician and plumber were needed. The Scouts would carry out the decorating themselves. Much of the money was raised


Before: Lesley Turtle holds up Nicky Hall’s hair, which hadn’t been cut for more than 10 years After: Nicky’s new look


by residents, plus grants and do- nations from charitable trusts. Mr Cameron said he was still applying for grants, and the amount of money they required would depend very much on the amount of voluntary help they were offered. The Scouts’ monthly paper collection pays for the day-to-day running of the group. The Scouts meet on two evenings a week, and there are two Beaver colonies and two Cub packs who also use the headquarters. Scouts’ Community Week be-


gins on May 14 and a Bash the Trash event will be held in Nevill Park. An exhibition on Scouting will also be held in the library.


Battle to save youth centre


Local news for Snodland and Halling


A Downs Mail supplement produced in conjunction with the Snodland Chamber of Commerce.


HOLMESDALE Technology Col- lege is negotiating with Kent County Council to try to keep SAMAYS youth centre open. The council has been review-


ing the future of activities for young people and SAMAYS could be replaced by a “youth hub” in Tonbridge. Tracey Crouch, Chatham &


Aylesford MP; Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Snod- land Town Council and the Snodland Partnership strongly opposed a closure of SAMAYS. School principal Julia Camp-


need real hair wigs. “As I work with children, I thought this was the right char- ity for me. “I was hoping to raise £125,


but with the very kind and gen- erous support of everyone, I have managed to raise £769.” Nicky was still collecting do- nations at the time Town Talk went to press so she is hoping the final figure will be higher.


bell told Town Talk she was anx- ious that the youth centre, on the college site, should stay open.


Solar panel savings SOLAR heating panels have been installed at the Devonshire Rooms, in Waghorn Road. Chairman of the town council,


Anne Moloney, said they should produce a significant saving on electricity, and this would be used to keep room rents lower.


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